Hoverflies in Historical Books part 2.

Exploration of hoverflies within historical books & manuscripts, examining the scientific understanding each portrayed or intended. 

In my research for articles about individual hoverfly species, I always widen the search looking for any historical or cultural contexts. This broader approach often uncovers fascinating references to hoverflies in old historical manuscripts and early books, hidden gems that reveal stories and observations worthy of a deeper investigation. 

If you haven’t read Hoverflies in Historical Books part 1 – now is the perfect moment to do so and get up to speed with the journey so far.

For those who have read part 1, thank you – here is a brief recap.

The simple question was:  What is the oldest hoverfly ever recorded in print? 

Our search in the story so far paused in 1720 with Eleazar Albin’s 'A Natural History of English insects'  illustrating observed behaviour in the White-clubbed Glasswing (Scaeva pyrastri) 

But the question still to be answered is - are there any older references to hoverflies hidden within earlier texts?

Let’s find out….

Hoverfly Spotter Apr 26 Sightings – part 2

Hoverflies, Adwick Washlands, Moth trapping in my Garden, Critters down the River.

It has been a week of firsts, as you will see shortly.

It also an exciting time of year spring, as every corner you turn on a nature walk, you are likely to find something that delights, either something that has just blossomed, flowered, dropped in, flown past, hovers or just sits there waiting for you to spot it. That was very much the case with a trip down the river, even though it was only a week since my last visit. Looking up can even sometimes deliver something very special.

Then there are trips revisiting an old haunt and so for the first time this year, a visit to Adwick Washlands. A time of year when you hope migrants have flown in overnight from countries afar. Some very cool birds were spotted this week which I can’t wait to share, including one flagged by the BTO as a rarity for South Yorkshire.

Putting the moth trap out is always a special any time of year, as the next morning it’s a little bit like Christmas, you never know when you open up the trap what might be inside. But the first time is always special as it dawns a new season of moth trapping, with the promise of many Christmas days to come throughout the year. The question being will the trap be empty or full of moths to identify, and will those moths be regulars or newbies?

Bet you are wondering what all these sightings might be, well wonder no more as all will be revealed.

Hoverfly Spotter Apr 26 Sightings – part 1

Potteric Carr, Hoverflies, Visit to Wentworth, My Garden & Down the Dearne.

The clocks went forward 29th March and despite storm Dave blowing through, I did manage to get out for some hoverfly spotting last week. Here are some of my highlights

Observations in the garden: 

Spring has been quietly rehearsing its rituals. Robins court in plain sight, the male offering mealworms plucked from the lawn, a tender exchange of trust. Dunnocks flirt in a flutter of wings, mercifully discreet this time, with no cloacal pecking to report. From the treetops, greenfinches spill their wheezing trills into the air, while great tits hurry about with urgent purpose — busy, busy, busy —rather than their familiar teacher teacher sounds heard, that will come later.

Queen bees drift low through the undergrowth, mostly buff-tailed, prospecting patiently for the promise of a nest. Nearby, a male Hairy-footed Flower Bee runs his daily circuit, diligently visiting every purple bloom, favouring the Lungwort in his search for a female. The Blackcaps have returned singing a tuneful melody and I am awakening to the sound of a dawn chorus right outside my bedroom window. 

Though the garden has brimmed with birdsong, hoverflies have been few, nudging me beyond the garden gate this week. But before we head out, there was a visit from a Spring Small Dung Beetle (Aphodius prodromus) a new species for me.  Welcome to the garden.

Hoverflies in Historical Books part 1

Hoverflies in Books Part 1

When I first started my blog, I found myself wondering whether hoverflies existed in old historical books.

Did they appear at all in early natural history texts?

I assumed that old identification guides might include a few illustrations, after all they were appearing in paintings (click here), but I also wanted to know whether they appeared in a scientific context as well. If they did appear in a scientific context in what way, what questions were being asked, and what were they adding to scientific debates in their day, if any. But the main question I wanted to answer was-

What is the oldest hoverfly ever recorded in print?

The printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenburg in 1440, a mechanical device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium, thereby transferring the ink. This device started the printing revolution, allowing books, pamphlets and newspapers to be produced quickly and cheaply. So that was my target could I get hoverflies in print going back to the 19th…16th…15th century! Join me to discover more as I leaf through dusty shelves in search of hidden wonders.

Here is what I have uncovered so far…..

Spring Smoothtail (Epistrophe eligans)

Spring Smoothtail (Epistrophe eligans) Wing Length 6.25-9.5mm Flight Apr-Jun peaking in May

Species to spot in April

For some people spring arrives with the coming of the blossom, for others the emergence of daffodils and crocuses, the call of the Chiffchaff or the first bees, but I look for the emergence of the Spring Smoothtail (Epistrophe eligans). It is a common hoverfly strongly associated with the blossom of spring. It also signifies the start of the hoverfly season with more species emerging in the coming weeks and months. It gladdens my heart when I see them.

Its an anthropophilic species, which means it thrives in human modified areas. If you don’t know much about hoverflies this is a good one to start looking for, being easy to find in your garden or just beyond your garden gate. Especially along a hedgerow or woodland edge, sunny and with a tree in full blossom. The more northerly you are in the UK the less likely you are to spot them, especially so in Scotland where they can be localised.